Blocked Tear Ducts: Causes in Adults

Topic Overview

In adults,
blocked tear ducts, which cause tears to build up in
the eyes, may be caused by one or more conditions. They include:

Thickening of the tear duct lining. The tear
ducts may become narrow due to thickening, swelling, or inflammation of their
lining. This is called primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO)
and is most common in women over the age of 40.

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